Lincolnshire devolution deal announced in Autumn Statement

Lincolnshire will have its own directly-elected mayor

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has announced a new devolution deal for Greater Lincolnshire in his Autumn Statement.

It means the region, which also includes North and North East Lincolnshire, would get its own directly-elected mayor.

The plan, announced in the Commons, would mean £24m of government funding every year for 30 years, as well as agreed powers transferred.

The mayor would oversee major projects including public transport.

Lincolnshire has been seeking a deal for several years but missed out on the latest round of talks earlier this year.

Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, Philip Jackson, leader of North East Lincolnshire Council and Martin Hill, leader of Lincolnshire County Council welcomed the move

At the time, the leader of Lincolnshire County Council, Martin Hill, said a devolution deal was urgently needed for the region.

Commenting on the latest announcement, he said it was a moment of "huge significance".

"It represents a future of collaboration, bringing with it local and direct control of the things that really matter to the 1.1m residents of Greater Lincolnshire.

"Devolution means we can invest funding into priority projects like improving transport links and regenerating areas that need it.

"We'd also have a stronger voice with government about investment and services for our area."

• What the Autumn Statement means for you

Meanwhile, Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said the deal would mean more money and "more influence" for the region.

Analysis by Tim Iredale, Political Editor Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

It is a big county with a growing population.

But politicians of all colours argue that Lincolnshire often gets a raw deal from Westminster when it comes to public spending.

The hope is this new devolution deal will go some way to redressing the balance.

A directly elected mayor covering an area from Grimsby to Grantham and Scunthorpe to Spalding may have a relatively small budget compared to others, but their power and funding could grow over time.

Many hope the right individual could prove to be a powerful cheerleader for the county; someone who is willing to go to Whitehall and bang on the table.

Greater Manchester's Andy Burnham and the West Midlands' Andy Street are seen by some as examples of elected mayors who punch above the weight of the areas they represent.

There will be no shortage of applicants for the role, expected to begin after elections in 2025.

But, to paraphrase another famous political slogan, success may be judged on an individual who fulfils a promise to make Greater Lincolnshire great again.

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said the region had "a rich history and a unique place in the future success of our nation", including offshore wind and agriculture.

"By taking decisions out of Whitehall and putting them back in the hands of local communities, this deal will enable Greater Lincolnshire to unleash its full economic potential," he said.

The mayor would oversee public transport projects

The leaders of West Lindsey, South Kesteven and Boston councils issued a joint statement following the announcement.

They said there had been a lack of transparency and only limited consultation.

"It already feels as though devolution is being done to us rather than being done with and for us," the statement read.

However, West Lindsey's leader Trevor Young said: "We are committed to working together for the benefit of our communities to get the best deal for our area."

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Gainsborough Conservative MP Sir Edward Leigh said he was glad to "see Lincolnshire get more cash".

However, he said it was his view a board of councils would work much more efficiently than "a mayor imposed on us with a big salary and large staff".

Devolution involves the creation of a combined authority to decide on agreed issues that cross boundaries.

However, the existing councils would remain and continue to provide the services they do now.

A public consultation is expected to start in December.

Mr Hunt also announced a devolution deal for Hull and East Yorkshire.